Let's Roll With the Only Antique, Collectible and Fine Art Wealth Building Club

We're busy as bees these days at the 31 Club, the industry's only Antiques, Collectible and Fine Art Wealth Building Club and Learning Site. You will begin to see the new face of our website starting to take shape very soon. Our Daily Blog, which has become the signature of our company, will now be available right on our homepage. So, come grow with us.

Over the coming days, every page of our site will be undergoing a face lift. We hope the new feel will be fresh, and easy to navigate. Our webmaster, Chris, is doing a great job, and he never seems to get ruffled no matter what we throw at him.

One of the things that is under discussion is a way it would be possible for members be able to communicate with one another, as well as buy and sell items to other members. Strictly an opt in feature, this will help members to network with one another, and in doing so, increase their contact base. If you have any suggestions or special knowledge on this, give us a call. We're all ears.

The next major project that Cindy has conjured up is to have more video on the sight. We might have to get a better looking stand in for that one! But seriously, if there is something special you want to see on video, please e-mail me your ideas.

We hope to soon announce the date of our free seminar here in the Chicago area. Cindy keeps assuring me that we will have enough energy for all this, but please keep us in your prayers.

With the help of Michael Hudson of Antiques-Collectibles-Auction-News.com, we are beginning a massive program to expose ourselves to many more people on the Internet. Michael's news site has set the Internet newswires on their heels, getting thousands of new hits each week after having just started in August. Be sure to take a look at his site. You will find that Cindy and I are contributing writers on it.

Great new stories to keep you abreast of the industry and its events are also available from Philip at News-antique.com. Philip sent out the first press release we ever wrote to media outlets all over. And we continue to release stories on his site. What a great help he is. Phil also runs BigNews.biz, a business news site with free press release distribution services. See if your business might benefit from this source.

Both Phil and Michael have been willing to offer their time and their help to us, and we consider them a member of our team. They are a living examples of what it means to help those in need. And believe me, when we started out, we were really in need of help. Still are. Thanks guys! That's what the 31 Club is all about. Helping one another.

Everyday I am getting more excited about what we are building together. Call your friends, tell your neighbors, and come on in. We're going to have fun together while we learn to build our wealth with antiques, collectibles and fine art, step-by-step.

Discover how the 31 Club, together with our book, can be the tool that helps you build more personal wealth dealing in the rare and valuable upper end markets, rather than the conventional methods of stock, bonds, and real estate investing. You won't find these kind of results with your bank or your stock broker! Find out more about joining our growing community of antique and art wealth builders here.

Read more about The Million Dollar Challenge 31 Club members are participating in.

If you haven't yet had a chance to see what we've got listed in the 31 Gallery & Marketplace, click on over and take a look. You might even find a real bargain. We've got many high quality items priced reasonably. If you have a high quality piece you'd like us to find a buyer for, why not consign your item to us. No high fees when you sell with us. Contact us here.

If you wish to leave comments use the ANONYMOUS button and then you don't have to sign in to leave your message. Chime in and participate with us.

Daryle Lambert: Indian Artifacts - Points and Blades from Antiquity

As you know probably know by now, I'm not one to sit around too long without trying to learn something new. And so, when I was visiting in Kentucky over the long Christmas holiday, there were only so many hours I could spend joining in on small talk about shopping and watching TV. I knew right when it was time for me to go on a field trip, so I soon headed out with my wife, Vickie, and my son, Joshua to meet up with my two other children, Dana and Lawson. Lawson brought his new bride, and so the six of us squeezed into a small sedan and headed out for a day in the country.

Our first stop was to the farm where I spent so many great days with my grandparents. I've written about some of those times in previous blogs, so I know you are aware of how special those days are in my memory. As we traveled down the roads, I pointed out to Joshua all the of places where there had been a particular milestone or memory in my life -- where I killed my first rabbit, the old family plot on the hill, and the pond where I caught that really big fish that should have been entered into the record books but somehow escaped notice.

Further down the roads, and after I shared most of the old war stories, we were approaching my Uncle's farm. I caught sight of a young man walking through the plowed field. I told Lawson to pull the car over, and then bet everyone that I already knew what this young man was doing there wandering the field. They all laughed, and then I asked them to follow me out into my Uncle's field. They looked suspiciously at me, but followed anyway.

I know the young man was wondering what I might call him on, and as I walked a bit ahead of the rest of my group, I called out to him saying, "I bet I can tell you what you're doing out here."

He smiled, relieved, and replied, "What am I doing?"

"You're looking for arrowheads, aren't you?" He was surprised I knew. I told him that in this same place, as a boy, I would patiently wait until the workers had finished plowing the fields on my Uncle's farm. Once they were gone, I would dash out into the fields with my gallon bucket and pick up arrowheads until my bucket overflowed. "Did you find anything good, " I asked him? He smiled and showed me one arrowhead, and then told me that he frequently came out here to look for Indian Artifacts, and had look all up and down the Ohio River banks. Although he was college age, turned out he was already an advanced collector.

Today I wish that I still had all the arrowheads I found back then. Their value could be considerable. If you want to know more about Indian Artifacts, the book I told you about yesterday, North American Indian Artifacts, by Lar Hothem, is not only good for learning about pots, but it also covers a variety of other artifacts. Click here for additional listings of books.

An eastern U.S. Lost Lake Sunfish Blade, from 9000-7500 B.C. had a value of $4,000 in 1998. I wonder what it would be now. An early Archaic Lost Lake Sunfish Blade, only 4-1/2 " long found in Kentucky was valued in 1998 at $6,000. Check out the book for yourself.

Today, those very fields I roamed so many years ago are still filled with treasures. It's just not possible for me to find the words to properly tell you what it feels like the first time you find an arrowhead in a farmers field that you know had been there since before the time of Christ. -- Daryle

There are a couple things to be aware of when dealing with Indian Artifacts. First, beware that fakes are being made to this day. Look at as many of the real ones as you can, and even after that -- consult an expert if you still have questions. Second, there are laws in place regarding Indian Artifacts, and you should become familiar with them before you become involved. Please look at these two sites for further information: Safely Collecting Indian Artifacts, Contemporary Issues about Native American Art.

Discover how our book can be the tool that helps you build more personal wealth than you might have thought possible. And doing it in the Antiques, Collectibles, and Fine Art Markets rather than the traditional methods. You won't find these kind of results with your bank or your stock broker!

Read more about The Million Dollar Challenge members are participating in.

If you haven't yet had a chance to see what we've got listed in the 31 Gallery & Marketplace, click on over and take a look. You might even find a real bargain. We've got many high quality items priced reasonably. If you have a high quality piece you'd like us to find a buyer for, why not consign your item to us. No high fees when you sell with us. Contact us here.

If you wish to leave comments use the ANONYMOUS button and then you don't have to sign in to leave your message. Chime in and participate with us.

Daryle Lambert: The Underdog Can Win in Antiques, Collectibles, & Fine Art

Last night I got a lift from watching the election returns. It didn't matter who you were rooting for, which candidate had the most campaign money or endorsements by notable institutions. In the end, the "little man" won on both sides. It was like reading the story of David and Goliath. And this is what our 31 Club is all about. Do you think you're the underdog in this market? Do you want to take advantage of the sizzling hot antique, collectible and fine art markets but think you don't have the money or knowledge to do it? If you have as little as $100 and the willingness to study and learn, the 31 Club can help you turn that $100, over time, into a figure with many more zeros. Can you wrap your mind around that?

You can become educated with the help and direction offered through joining the 31 Club and in time, be trading in the higher-end of these markets reaping the financial gains that, right now, you see others reaping. And you don't have to leave your present employment to do it.

If you can commit yourself to actively participating in expanding your knowledge through further education with us and study on your part, you will blossom and flourish. Ask yourself if watching TV in the evenings or chatting on the Internet is adding any money to your bank account or improving the conditions of your life.

I run across people at every stop I make who have enough money to buy anything they desire, but they pass by the greatest treasures that can be found in this marketplace because they can't recognize a treasure when they see one staring right at them. Wouldn't you like to be the one who can recognize a treasure, have the funds to buy it at the right price, then sell it for great profit? Then, ask yourself how many times a year you'd have to make a trade like that before you'd have enough money to get you through your life.

The 31 Club is dedicated to shaping a new breed of dealers. And it doesn't require you to leave your present job, borrow a dime to buy, nor invest funds to set up a shop. In the 21st century, we work differently. Separating ourselves from the herd in the way we approach this business is the key to our prosperity. And it can be the key for you, too, if you let it by learning with us.

Do you know the difference between a production piece of Royal Doulton and a one of a kind piece? The difference can mean several thousand dollars in your pocket. Is it an old mark or a new one on that Zsolnay vase? If you know, you just might have a month or two's worth of upper class wages to add to your account. Who is the artist with the initials DMR that you happened to find in a second hand shop? Do you know how to find out? Is there anyone you can call for help? If you knew the initials DMR, you might find that the painting in that shop is by a listed artist worth over $50,000. And the shop owner doesn't even know it.

I could go on and on, but this I promise you, the members of the 31 Club will stand out whenever you attend any event where knowledge of the Antique and Fine Art markets is required.

Acquire the knowledge needed to win. Surround yourself with the like-minded people of the 31 Club so you won't be alone. Deal in the high-end markets with confidence. Our members are diligently spending their time acquiring knowledge while they experience the marketplace. Each time they buy and sell, they move to more valuable items. They are learning to be the most informed people around, succeeding by their knowledge and dealing with others in a fair and upright manner. Will you be one of them?

Learn to work this marketplace the 21st century way with the 31 Club. When the last votes are counted, like last night, I'll be betting on you. –Daryle

If you're looking for the pathway to reach your goals with antiques, collectibles and fine art, the 31 Club can be the venue that will give you the nuts and bolts for successfully buying, selling and profiting in the 21st Century Marketplace. Join us today and rub shoulders with like-minded people.

Click here for more insight and a good read.

If you wish to leave comments use the ANONYMOUS button and then you don't have to sign in to leave your message. Chime in and participate with us.

Daryle Lambert: Two For One - Outsider Artist Doug Odom and Charles Lotton

I find surprises come at the most unexpected times and places.

Cindy and I intended to meet outsider artist, Doug Odom and his wife at the "One of a Kind Show" at Chicago's Merchandise Mart at around 10:00am, and then spend the rest of the day at the show. The first bit of excitement came upon arriving and immediately finding an open parking space just one block from the mart. Since I don't like to spend money unnecessarily, especially $30 to park a car downtown, that was my first sign that a great day was in store for us.

When we entered this block-long building and made our way to the elevator bank, we discovered that Doug had already left passes for us, and we were whisked into the elevator by escort like a couple of VIP's. When the elevator opened up, we entered a space that occupied the entire eighth floor -- and as I said, this building takes up an entire city block. Artwork everywhere! We finally made our way to Doug's fantastic booth, we were greeted with hugs and began to admire his latest creations. And then the strangest thing happened. I gazed up and over my shoulder and couldn't believe my eyes. Right in the next booth stood none other than Charles Lotton and most of his staff. Now what are the chances of that in a place this size, with over 400 artists?

Charles' and Doug's booths were kitty corner to one another and both had already admired one another's work and were in negotiation to buy or trade a piece of their work for the other's. Both booths were filled with people for the whole time we were there. Charles had Jackie and Brenna working his booth, and I can guarantee you that I would hire those two to sell for me any day.

After spending quite a long time with Doug and Charles, we toured the rest of the show, but I found only two booths that held any interest for me. One was a painter you will hear about, and the other was a fantastic young glass artist who I will be blogging about to introduce to you. Only four out of over four hundred dealers caught my attention, Like I've said before, we look for only the best.

If you haven't had a chance to see Doug Odom's work, we've got two pieces available in our 31 Gallery. Be sure to take a look at them here.

Don't forget to make sure your friends and loved ones have a copy of our book. You can sign them up for our 31 Club, and they'll get the book for free. Or order them the book, and get the membership for free. Either way, this makes a great Christmas gift for the special people in your life.

Discover how our book can be the tool that helps you become financially free simply buying and selling antiques, collectibles and fine art.

Be sure to visit our web site for more information about how you can join the 31 Club Wealth Building and start your own race to your millions! Read more about The Million Dollar Challenge.

If you haven't yet had a chance to see what we've got listed in the 31 Gallery & Marketplace, click on over and take a look. You might even find a real bargain. We've got many high quality items priced reasonably. If you have a high quality piece you'd like us to find a buyer for, why not consign your item to us. No high fees when you sell with us. Contact us here.

If you wish to leave comments use the ANONYMOUS button and then you don't have to sign in to leave your message. Chime in and participate with us.

Daryle Lambert: An Auction Provides the Testing Ground to Check Ourselves

We have studied many different types of Pottery, Porcelain, Paintings and Glass over the last few months through this blog, and our library of knowledge has increased substantially, but how are we doing?

That's the question I asked myself as I attended the auction at Direct Auction in Chicago yesterday, along with Cindy and our club member, Andre. There were many things that caught my eye before the sale started, and I previewed the pieces I might sell at prices that would meet my rules for purchase. The three of us were also interested to see what the coins would be selling for, and this was Andre's first auction at Direct Auction.

During the preview, I checked to be sure the items were what I thought they were, and then I continued to check them for any damage or flaws that might not be apparent at first glance. Mentally, I tried to recall similar items I had seen sell before, so I could set the upper range of my future bid. I also scouted out my competition to see how much interest there seemed to be in the pieces I hoped to be bidding on.

Yes, I had prepared myself as the start of the auction was coming near. Taking my seat next to Cindy and Andre, I felt the excitement starting to build. The crowd at this auction was one of the largest I've seen them attract in many months, so my expectations did diminish a bit because of that.

Coins were the first items offered, and I had checked the price of gold and silver before I arrived. If I could purchase half dollars, quarters and dimes that were minted before 1965, I decided I could pay up to five or six times their face value, not even consider their numismatic value, while still meeting my criteria. This auction had more coins than usual. There were literally hundreds of each type.. As the auctioneer began the sale, fifty or sixty coins would be lumped into a group and they were priced per coin. I found myself shaking my head in amazement at some of the prices these coins were going for. After all the coins had been sold, including the gold ones, I still hadn't made my first purchase. I have to admit, I was a little disappointed.

I figured my time would come when we moved on to the pottery, glass and porcelain. Finally, the Charles Lotton magnum paperweight was coming up, and I didn't feel there was much interest for it at this auction. Earlier, I had spoken to Warner Smith, the president of the Lotton Glass Club, and we agreed that if I could buy it for $250, I should do well. But, that paperweight was hammered at $400. No money to be made there. Next was some Doulton dogs. These used to be my specialty, so I thought I had the inside track on them. I think there were six, and since they were rather common, I figured that $50 each should buy them easily. When they sold for about $600, I could tell this wasn't going to be a very promising evening.

Now was the time to go to the counter and get some hot dogs for us and think about what was happening here. I asked myself whether or not this night could improve. It didn't. In fact, we didn't even stay for the art, because through my friends, I learned that bids were left on the paintings I was interested in. And those bids were greater than I would be willing to pay. A left bid is when someone previews the auction and then leaves an absentee bid on certain items.

Being totally discouraged, we decided to leave, but not before picking up our Christmas presents from the auction house -- a can of peanuts and a box of turtles.

By now you are probably asking what's the purpose of this blog? My answer goes back to the very heart of what I'd like you to have etched in your mind. In the first chapters of my book, I state that one of the most important things I would repeat over and over to you would be the necessity of having patience. Patience will be the key to your success using the wealth building plan in my book, and that patience combined with knowledge, will give you everything in life that you desire.

Yesterday I followed my own rule. I saw each one of those pieces slip from my hands at prices I knew I wouldn't be able to at least double. I had to use all the patience I could muster up not to give in and overpay for an item. But you know what? I still have my money, and there will be another day. While most of the people at the auction will make a very small gain on their investment, if any, I still have my money to buy a treasure that is waiting for me right around the next corner. At the price I want.

Discover how our book can be the tool that helps you become financially free simply buying and selling antiques, collectibles and fine art.

Be sure to visit our web site for more information about how you can join the 31 Club Wealth Building and start your own race to your millions! Read more about The Million Dollar Challenge.

If you haven't yet had a chance to see what we've got listed in the 31 Gallery & Marketplace, click on over and take a look. You might even find a real bargain. We've got many high quality items priced reasonably. If you have a high quality piece you'd like us to find a buyer for, why not consign your item to us. No high fees when you sell with us. Contact us here.

If you wish to leave comments use the ANONYMOUS button and then you don't have to sign in to leave your message. Chime in and participate with us.

Daryle Lambert: University City - Brouwer - F.M. Robertson - Grand Feu - Rhead - Valentien - UNKNOWN TO MANY

Do you recognize these names in pottery? If you don't, I hope my encouragement will persuade you to do a little research. You see, there is gold in those names.

I promised if you would stay with me, I would tell you where the real money is, and in these names, you can find a lot of it. Here is a suggestion. Go to the Kovels New Dictionary of Marks and copy all the marks for each one of these companies on a piece of paper and carry it with you at all times. Even better, buy the book and keep it close at hand.

You will find that several of these artists worked for more than one company, but when they worked for these companies, they produced some of their most collectible works. These companies have pieces selling on the low side for better pieces at $5,000, but the sky is the limit on exceptional pieces and their prices might range 10-20-50 thousand and these might even be too low.

Why don't most dealers spend their time researching for these real treasures. The answer might be that they don't come along every day, and if you are paying your mortgage with the sale of your daily finds these pieces may be too scarce to rely upon. But, the great advantage you have by following the 31 Club plan, is that it's okay to take up to six months to find that one special piece that will keep you on track to your million dollar account. Remember, we're making planned buys, using a strategic plan.

While University City Pottery had a short life span from 1901-1911 or perhaps 1914, its founder, Edward G. Lewis managed to attract some of the best in the industry including Frederick Rhead, Adelaide Robineau, and Serves- artist Taxile Doat.

In 1894, Theophilus A. Brouwer started Brower Pottery. It was a one man operation, and closed its doors in 1946, fourteen years after his death. There is a limited amount of his work that has survived and it is very valuable.


F. M. Robertson Pottery started in 1934 when Fred Robertson and his son, George, opened this company together. It was located in Los Angles California at a time when many of the better potters were moving west.

Grand Feu was another California pottery that had a short life span from 1912 to around 1916.

Frederick Rhead is one of the better known pottery artist of his day and I would suggest that you Google him for more information. If you recall from my earlier blog this week, Rhead was the leading artist for Roseville's extremely valuable line, Della Robbia, and he worked with many other pottery companies.

If you'll google Valentien, you'll discover his history and pottery and have his name and mark in your mind as well.

These pieces of valuable pottery could be right under your competition's nose and they wouldn't even know it. So my suggestion to you again is to READ - READ – READ.

Naturally, this reminds me of a story. Many of you know that I was in the oil business at one time, and as the story goes, there was a city slicker driving down a dirt road When he saw a farmer sitting on his porch rocking in a rocking chair. As he approached the old gentleman, he saw a oil pump in the field, and the farmer was rocking with every stroke of the pump. The city slicker couldn't resist asking the farmer what he was doing. The farmer told him, "I'm counting my money." The city slicker asked, "How's that?"

"Every time the pump goes up and down, I say one dollar, two dollars , three dollars. That's my part of the oil."

The reason I tell you this story is that every time you read about something in the Antique or Collectible field, you are just like that old farmer counting your money.

Today's Photo shows a piece of University City Pottery.

Discover how our book can be the tool that helps you become financially free simply buying and selling antiques, collectibles and fine art.

Be sure to visit our web site for more information about how you can join the 31 Club Wealth Building and start your own race to your millions! Read more about The Million Dollar Challenge.

If you haven't yet had a chance to see what we've got listed in the 31 Gallery & Marketplace, click on over and take a look. You might even find a real bargain. We've got many high quality items priced reasonably. If you have a high quality piece you'd like us to find a buyer for, why not consign your item to us. No high fees when you sell with us. Contact us here.

If you wish to leave comments use the ANONYMOUS button and then you don't have to sign in to leave your message. Chime in and participate with us.